Autumn's Daylight

Chapter 5

Fatima

After what happened last Sunday. Jacob ignored me. Today is Wednesday, my second day of work here at Dawn's restaurant. I started yesterday because of Kevin. He's sick and aunt Karen brought him to the hospital, I helped and watch over him the whole day on Monday. The doctor said that he was overdosed by some drugs, and he's malnourished. Up until now, he's in the hospital, and he's being so hard to deal with. He keeps on pushing everyone away from him. Even me. On Monday, he didn't talk to me and didn't eat his food when I'm around him. I don't understand his behavior, how can he change like that?

“Hello? Knock knock brown head?!” I'm startled when someone grabs the menu in my hand.

“Oh, I'm sorry ma'am. Good morning, welcome to Dawn's restaurant.” I said with a smile to the irritated customer.

“What's good in the morning?” she asks with her eyebrow-raising. I just smiled and she looks more irritated. Oh, no.

“Give me 1 order of carbonara with garlic bread and 1 bottle of wine.”

“Okay ma'am, noted,” I said and immediately left the madwoman.

After 10 minutes, I served the order of the madwoman and I'm shocked when she said 'thank you' with a not-so-sure smile.

“You're welcome ma'am,” I said

“I'm sorry for my attitude earlier... Fatima?” she said while reading my name tag. “I'm just having a terrible day.” I smiled at her and I remember my best friend Jia. She had the same attitude with this woman when she's stress and mad.

“It's fine ma'am, you don't have to worry,” I assure her.

“Thanks, Fatima. Please just call me Aria” she introduced herself “Wait, are you the nephew of Bishop Tom?” she asked.

“Yes... Aria”

“I'm one of the twelve of Pastora Karen. She's so lovely.”

“Wow, what a small world,” I said, not knowing if that is the right thing to say.

“That's why you look familiar earlier. I missed the Sunday service last week because I'm sick but I heard that Bishop Tom's nephew is here for good and her name is Fatima. So I guess that's you.” she said. Now, I'm speechless.

“I... don't know what to say right now” I admit. And she softly laughs.

“Let's go out sometimes and talk. I'll tour you here,” she suggests. I remember Jacob, aside from him I don't know anyone here in Northridge that I have a small talk or walk with. So I think it's a good start to go around with Aria.

“Okay, that will be fine,” I said with a smile and dismiss myself politely. I went to the next table and ask for the orders.

----

After the long shift at Dawn's, I decided to go to the hospital to visit Kevin. This is my first time going there alone. The hospital is near to the restaurant, so I decided to take a walk. While I'm walking, I heard small steps behind my back and I walk faster. I try to get my phone but someone grabs my hand... I'm ready to hit him but I stop because of his green eyes. Jacob.

“Sorry,” he said. I looked at him and I saw his restless face. He looks so tired and sad?

“It's fine....” that's the only thing that I can say. For now......

“Are you going to Kevin?”

“Yes” should I ask him why he asks me? Or why is he talking to me? He avoided me after what happened last Sunday. We even bumped into each other yesterday while I'm going to the customer's table, and he didn't even look at me.

“Sorry,” he said again as he walks with me. I think he's going to Kevin too.

“It's fine, you just startled me a little.” yes I was fine the moment I knew that it was him who is following me.

“I'm sorry for acting like a jerk this past few days.” Now I'm startled by his words. I didn't expect it. “I know I ignored you and I'm sorry. I... I just don't know how to interact with you again after what happened last Sunday.”

I don't know what to say.

“Please say something,” he begs.

“I don't know what to say.” Seriously.

“Fine, just ask me a question then. And I will answer it sincerely,” he said. “Just talk to me again.”

“Who's your brother?” that's the only thing that came out of my mouth.

“So many possible questions but I'm right. You will ask about him,” he said with a sad face.

“Sorry, okay I will not ask you any questions again,” I said and I mean it.

“His name is Eros. He's my eldest brother. Step-brother I guess. We have the same father.”

“Oh,” that's the only thing that I can say.

“And...”

“Stop,” I said. I don't want to know more about his brother right now. It's not right to invade someone's privacy just because you have the privilege. “That's my only question. Your brother's name. You can save your history.”

“Thank you :)” he said with a smile and I smile back at him. I miss his smile.

“I miss you,” he said and I can feel the redness of my cheeks right now.

“Jacob!!!!” Before I can react. I heard a familiar voice calling Jacob. I turn around and saw the madwoman at the restaurant, who turned out to be my next and newest known friend here in Northridge. Aria.

“Hi, Jake! How are you?” she hugged Jacob tight. “Oh hi Fatima!” she said and hugged me too. “So, what did I missed?” she asks with a smile.

“You know each other?” I asked.

“Yeah, we were lovers,” Aria whispered. But It's quite loud and Jacob heard it.

“Before." Jacob said and then he left.

I looked at Aria's face and I saw a small smile on her face. She's smiling after the rejection from Jacob? Why?

“He's so moody, most of the time.” she jokes. I laugh uncomfortably.

“Are you going to Kevin?” she changed the topic.

“Yes”

“Can I come with you? I heard what happened and I'm really worried.”

“Sure, let's go,” I said, and she grabbed my hand, and then we walked and talked and laughed and walked. She's a very funny person and Jacob should keep her because he's bad at joking. I wonder why they broke up and I wonder why Jacob is acting so weird with me and why every person in this town is connected to Jacob?